Inanimate
79

Inanimate NYC Reviews and Tickets

79%
(29 Ratings)
Positive
86%
Mixed
10%
Negative
4%
Members say
Clever, Funny, Quirky, Ambitious, Edgy

About the Show

The Flea Theater presents the world premiere of this dramedy about a young woman infatuated with an inanimate object.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (29)

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503 Reviews | 77 Followers
83
Clever, Funny, Quirky, Intelligent, Delightful

See it if you enjoy edgy theater that helps you care about and understand people on the fringe.

Don't see it if you object to watching a play about non-traditional forms of sexual attraction. Read more

139 Reviews | 19 Followers
80
Clever, Entertaining, Funny, Quirky, Refreshing

See it if for an unconventional and amusing take on the inanimate world

Don't see it if offbeat topics might not be your cup of tea

262 Reviews | 26 Followers
79
Clever, Funny, Quirky, Romantic, Ambitious

See it if you will enjoy a unique piece of theater involving a subject you might not be aware of; you like seeing talented young performers

Don't see it if you would be uncomfortable with a play that centers around object sexuality, involves a gay character, and such.

202 Reviews | 29 Followers
75
Thought-provoking, Quirky, Edgy, Ambitious

See it if You like non-straightforward plays about esoteric subjects performed by enthusiastic young actors with great gusto

Don't see it if You are not entertained by the examination of odd human behavior and have trouble following intricate plots.

449 Reviews | 148 Followers
74
Ambitious, Funny, Entertaining, Great acting, Different

See it if you’ll enjoy strong, consistent performances and smart, economical production design even if the play's intentions aren't 100% clear

Don't see it if you want to be able to explain to someone else the meaning of what you saw; you don’t want to feel very conservative in your theater tastes Read more

477 Reviews | 121 Followers
70
Funny, Great staging, Quirky, Edgy, Thought-provoking

See it if you want to see a clever play about sexual attraction to inanimate objects, in a fine production in the Flea Theater's new building.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with offbeat sexuality and don't like plays with rough edges. Read more

270 Reviews | 58 Followers
58
Quirky

See it if You have a taste for the offbeat. The unusual story follows a coming of age tale for one of alternative sexuality.

Don't see it if You were thinking weird might be wonderful. It is different, but awfully normal too, and there seems to be no magic about it.

104 Reviews | 15 Followers
58
Cliched

See it if You wanna support young theatre.

Don't see it if Save for the interesting take on dialogue with inanimate objects, the writing is pretty bland. Read more

Critic Reviews (18)

New York Theater
August 30th, 2017

"'Inanimate' is full of humor, but, much to his credit, playwright Robideau is never mocking. He makes Erica not just sympathetic and credible, but the winner of every argument...But if some of these object personifications are inspired, the director also has to take the hit for the highly uneven seven-member cast...The play could probably benefit from some trimming in any case...Even so, 'Inanimate'...is a pitch-perfect choice to inaugurate 30 Thomas Street."
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Theatre's Leiter Side
September 12th, 2017

“Robideau's writing veers between realism and surrealism, mingled with poetic expression and an accent on the comic, but he manages to make Erica's dilemma sympathetic without turning her into a freak…Still, it's never quite clear just how much he's parodying Erica's OS and how much he's taking it seriously…Courtney Ulrich's imaginative direction, helped enormously by Megan Culley's terrific mood-setting soundscape, keeps the intensity level high throughout.”
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Village Voice
September 6th, 2017

"Robideau cheerfully exploits his heroine’s unusual turn-on — and her surreal inner life — for quirky laughs, not overtly cruel ones...Erica and Kevin are appealing and the subject is potentially fascinating, so it’s a shame Robideau seems content with sight gags, shallow psychology, and a goofball plot...Ulrich and the Flea’s young actors, the Bats, keep it broad, bright, and zany, but a couple more drafts could have pushed the script past the Judd Apatow stage of semi-edgy rom-com."
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Gotham Playgoer
September 8th, 2017

"A good choice to carry on the Flea’s reputation for offbeat material...The Bats are clearly enjoying their roles and their enjoyment is infectious. Director Courtney Ulrich’s staging is confident and fluid. The subplot about the sister’s ambitions does not blend well with the rest of the play. At times it is difficult to decide whether the playwright intends for us to feel sympathy or bemused scorn for Erica’s condition. It’s an edgy play that’s not for everyone."
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Off Off Online
September 10th, 2017

“The energy and eagerness of youth are both strengths and weaknesses...The actors aren’t helped by the tonal shifts and absurdism in the script nor, perhaps, by their lack of life experience. That applies to Robideau as well…The actors’ likability makes up for some of the flaws...Absurdism requires some kind of realistic underpinning as a jumping-off point, but here absurdism and purported realism lie cheek by jowl with each other, and they are at odds."
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BroadwaySelect
September 4th, 2017

"It’s an excellent premise for a play. But, Mr. Robideau, why do those who practice objectum sexualis have a thing for a thing?...Robideau is instead content to have us say 'Isn’t this bizarre?' for 85 intermissionless minutes...Give Robideau credit, though, for getting one important aspect right. He never goes for laughs when detailing Erica’s condition...And let’s not criticize director Courtney Ulrich, who stages 'Inanimate' with integrity."
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A
September 20th, 2017

“When Erica was in 9th grade, she fell in love with a stapler. Later, she got into bigger things - like a gazebo, and now, a Dairy Queen sign. She also speaks to lamps, stuffed bunnies, and can openers. The challenge for the audience is to decide whether Erica is mentally ill. Perhaps we should be tolerant and supportive of her sexuality. This is a thought-provoking play with an extraordinary cast. If you can handle the subject matter, I highly recommend it as the must-see show of the season.”
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A
September 4th, 2017

“This play aimed true in almost every regard. The dialogue was crisp; the set (scene, costume, lighting, and sound) design was on point; and the acting, phenomenal. Beyond that, ‘Inanimate’ intrigued me with its oddities and left me wondering about the intricacies of the human mind. Regardless of the conclusions you may draw from seeing this play, which is about Erica having sexual relationships and feelings for inanimate objects, I am certain you will be entertained.”
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